Michelle began her educational career as an elementary classroom teacher in Goose Lake, Iowa, where she taught second-, third-, and fourth-grade. She currently works as a math and school improvement consultant in eastern Iowa and teaches several courses at Upper Iowa University as an adjunct professor of education. She specializes in delivering professional learning for teachers based on mathematics, PLCs, MTSS, and social-emotional learning focusing on trauma-informed practices. Michelle is passionate about supporting the mathematical pedagogical knowledge and practices of teachers in the areas of academic safety, effective facilitation, and high-quality tasks which in turn foster positive perceptions of mathematics for students where they see themselves as mathematicians. When Michelle is not busy supporting teacher education students and current classroom teachers, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, reading, bow hunting, traveling, and being on the lake.